KINGSTON, Jamaica - Trainer Howard McLeod saddled his first winner for the season when his charge, Sir Frederick, won the five-year-old and upwards Optional Claiming ($180,000-$150,000) call that also included native-bred six-year-olds and upwards (non-winners of two) at 5½ furlongs (1,100m) on Sunday, March 12.
Shownomercy (Anthony Allen) was the first to show on the front end, ahead of Avery and Ayan (Aaron Chatrie), Party Princess (Roger Hewitt), and Sir Frederick (Shavon Townsend). Going into the half-mile turn Sir Frederick surged to the lead, and the 13-year-old hard-knocking campaigner began to open up on runners approaching the drive.
Turning for home, Sir Frederick wasted no time and powered home to score by 2¾ lengths comfortably at the wire. Party Princess ran on to finish second, and Hail Mary (Ramon Nepare) finished third in a final time of 1:12.4.
